Family Priorities

For the next 11 days I’m participating in a challenge based on Tricia Goyer’s new book Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom. (Her book is specifically written for those of us who are moms and writers, but the principles could be applied to other work-at-home options.) Each day I will be answering a question she poses in her book. Today’s question is based on chapter 1 – Family Priorities.

“Determine what your priorities as a family are. Ask yourself a few questions: What do we want to achieve as a family? What will matter five years from now – ten years from now? What will mold our children into God-serving adults? What will bring peace—not stress—to our home?”

My Family Priorities:

1. Our family will read the Bible together and pray together every morning before breakfast.
2. Our family will pray together and commit the school day to God every morning while we are waiting for the school bus.
3. Our family will eat balanced meals with an emphasis on whole foods, vegetables, and fruit.
4. Our family will have supper together at least five times a week.
5. Our family will read missionary biographies together before bed.
6. Our family will attend church together.
7. Our family will celebrate adoption anniversaries as well as birthdays.
8. Our family will learn to serve the practical needs of others, both here in Canada and in other countries.

If you’ve never thought about what you want your family priorities to be, I’d encourage you to take a few minutes to do this exercise. Our children grow up quickly, and we need to be intentional about the time we have with them.

What priorities does your family have? I’d love to hear about them.